HIST-301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 41: Christian Culture, Harold Godwinson
Document Summary
This implosion of the danish royal family set the stage for the return of wessex. Edward returned to rule england from 1042 to 1066. Many englishmen were pleased with his restoration of the house of wessex and his christian reputation. He left it to earl godwin and the earl"s son harold: harold godwinson. When edward died, harold succeeded him as non-hereditary king. He had the practical experience though it was controversial to many: cousin william. William, the duke of normandy was not happy. He was the cousin of edward via his mother, emma of normandy. He was related to the deceased king and harold was just the king"s assistant. The norman conquest of england is still an invasion. They had been exposed to frankish christian culture for over a century at that point: battle of hastings. In 1066, harold met william at the battle of hastings.